05/11/2026
Running from war is hard enough. Starting over in a new country? Even harder. Starting a new business while raising a baby? That’s next level.
But that’s exactly what Oleksii Samokhval and Iryna Mehedyn have done with the opening of Crusty Craft Pizza in Transcona.
The couple arrived in Canada separately from Ukraine in 2022, escaping the Russian invasion of their homeland.
They met at a Winnipeg hotel housing Ukrainian newcomers, fell in love and plan to marry soon. They’re also raising a 15 month old daughter named Maia.
And somewhere between all that life-changing chaos, they started making pizza.
First on their backyard BBQ for friends…now at their own pizza joint at 1311 Day St. in Old Transcona.
And it’s not just any pizza either.
Thin, hand-rolled, European-style pies with fresh mozzarella and toppings straight out of Italy.
They even travelled to Naples for a month to visit family and learn pizza secrets from locals.
That passion now shows up at Crusty Craft.
And with your support, Oleksii and Iryna are building a new life together in Winnipeg…one pizza at a time.
That might just be the best ingredient of all.
